Mangaluru: Drinking water problems have surfaced in several parts of Mangaluru city even before the onset of peak summer, raising concerns among residents and prompting strong criticism from Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath. The MLA on Monday instructed officials of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to visit the affected areas and resolve the issue within a week.
Kamath said acute drinking water shortage was being reported from wards 25, 26, 27, 41 and 53, causing serious inconvenience to residents. He expressed concern that the problem had emerged much earlier than usual, indicating deeper issues in water management and distribution within the city limits.
Allegations against MCC administration
Addressing officials and local leaders, Kamath alleged that the situation had deteriorated after the end of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s term in the city corporation. “When the BJP was in power in the MCC, drinking water issues were addressed immediately whenever complaints were received. Officials responded promptly, and temporary as well as long-term solutions were put in place,” he said.
He claimed that since the MCC has been under the administration of a Congress-led government, there was a lack of accountability and responsiveness. “At present, there is no one to listen to the grievances of common people. Essential issues like drinking water are being neglected, and residents are left to struggle,” the MLA alleged.
Kamath urged MCC officials to treat the issue as a priority and ensure uninterrupted water supply to the affected wards. He warned that if immediate corrective measures were not taken, the hardship faced by citizens would intensify during the summer months.
Residents facing daily hardship
Former BJP councillors Poornima M, Ganesh Kulal, Jayalakshmi Shetty and Jagadish Shetty, along with BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bajal, were present during the discussion and elaborated on the difficulties faced by residents in their respective areas.
They said many households were receiving water only once in several days, while some localities were experiencing complete disruption of supply. Residents were being forced to depend on private water tankers, resulting in additional financial burden, especially for middle- and lower-income families.
“In some areas, people are storing water whenever supply is restored, fearing long gaps. This is not a sustainable solution and poses health risks as well,” one of the former councillors said.
Early warning ahead of summer
Local leaders pointed out that drinking water shortages typically worsen during March and April, but the current crisis had begun much earlier. They said this should serve as a warning sign for the MCC to act swiftly and strengthen water management systems.
According to them, issues such as pipeline leakages, uneven distribution, and delayed maintenance work were contributing to the shortage. They also stressed the need for proper monitoring of water supply schedules and transparent communication with the public.
Officials assure action
Naresh P. Shenoy, Deputy Commissioner (Development), MCC, along with other corporation officials, was present during the interaction. Officials assured the MLA and local representatives that the complaints would be examined on priority.
Kamath instructed MCC engineers and concerned officers to conduct field visits to the affected wards, assess the causes of the shortage and implement immediate remedial measures within a week. He also called for a long-term plan to ensure that similar problems do not recur every year.
Call for accountability
Concluding his remarks, Kamath said access to safe drinking water was a basic necessity and not a privilege. He emphasised that civic authorities must remain answerable to the public, irrespective of political changes.
“If drinking water problems are not resolved now, the situation will become unmanageable during peak summer. The MCC must act responsibly and restore people’s confidence,” he said.